French police start clearing the Jungle migrant camp in Calais

A Migrant sits in the Calais Jungle in Calais, France  on an embankment an looks in the direction if the camp on 23 October 2016. The refugee camp on the coast to the English Channel is to be cleared on monday, according to the French government. The approximately 8,000 refugees are distributed to various reception centers in France. (Photo by Markus Heine/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A Migrant sits in the Calais Jungle in Calais, France on an embankment an looks in the direction if the camp on 23 October 2016. The refugee camp on the coast to the English Channel is to be cleared on Monday, according to the French government. The approximately 8,000 refugees are distributed to various reception centers in France. (Photo by Markus Heine/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

More than 1,200 police and officials in France have begun an operation to clear the “Jungle” migrant camp in Calais.

The camp has been housing at least 7,000 people in squalid conditions.

Migrants queued peacefully to be processed, and the first of some 60 coaches that will carry them to refugee centres across France have now left.

There is concern that some migrants will refuse to go because they still want to get to Britain and that weekend clashes with police could be repeated.

The dismantling of the camp is expected to start on Tuesday. The UK has begun to accept some of the estimated 1,300 unaccompanied children from the camp
.
The first group without family ties to the UK has arrived in Britain under the “Dubs amendment” rules, which grant refuge to the most vulnerable.

However, the Home Office said on Monday the transfer process had been paused during the demolition of the Jungle, at the request of the French.

The Jungle migrants are being placed into separate queues to determine who are with family members, travelling alone or whether they are in vulnerable categories.

After processing they will leave for various parts of France and be given the opportunity to claim asylum. If they do not, they could face deportation.

The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express.
How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@libyanexpress.com. Please include ‘Op-Ed’ in the subject line.
You might also like

Submit a Correction

For: French police start clearing the Jungle migrant camp in Calais

Your suggestion have been successfully submitted

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Libyan Express will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.